Calling all Beseler 45 experts

[xkaes]

A Beseler 45MX condenser has fallen into my lap -- which I don't need because I have one in my 45MXII. Much to my surprise, getting complete info on Beseler enlargers on-line is not an easy task. I want to make sure that the 45MX condenser will fit on all Beseler 45M enlargers. These are the ones I know about -- are there others? I'm confident that the 45MX condenser will fit in the 45MX, 45MXII, 45MXT, and 45MCRX, but is there any reason it will not fit in the 45M?

 

[xkaes]

I was unaware that some condensers did not have the filter draw. For most (?) users, I suspect that is not a problem. Thanks for the info.

Is the MXR the same as the MCRX? I am not familiar with either.

 

[Dennis S]

I was unaware that some condensers did not have the filter draw. For most (?) users, I suspect that is not a problem. Thanks for the info.

Is the MXR the same as the MCRX? I am not familiar with either.

Seem to be the same and like you said very little information from Beseler

 

[mshchem]

I was unaware that some condensers did not have the filter draw. For most (?) users, I suspect that is not a problem. Thanks for the info.

Is the MXR the same as the MCRX? I am not familiar with either.

Beseler used letters to designate different models (obviously) M motor, C color as in a filter drawer built into the condenser head, R resistrol a dimmer control for the incandescent bulb in condenser heads, X extra tall.
The T came later for turret. Beseler sold a adapter that allows the use of the condensers with the Dichro 45S heads, no one used these, they do add a bit of contrast to color or black and white.
Newest Beseler colorhead is Dichro 45SL, LED colorhead with dichroic filter, closed loop control. Still kinda goofy as it still uses 3 dials on front, and a separate electronic timer of your choice.

 

[Dennis S]

I think the X stands for the diagonally supporting arms in the back. Looks like my enlarger went from an MXR to a MCRX and I am using it a fair amount of time lately now that fall & winter are here and finally get decent amount of darkness.

 

[mshchem]

I think the X stands for the diagonally supporting arms in the back. Looks like my enlarger went from an MXR to a MCRX and I am using it a fair amount of times now that fall & winter are here and finally get darkness

Yes, I agree. The earlier Beseler had braces that went forward, I have a vague recollection of this. Beseler flipped the braces and added the X, not sure if it was at the same time

 

[mshchem]

Ollinger's Guide to Photographic Enlargers: Beseler 45 Series Enlargers

A short guide to and description of Beseler 45 series enlargers.

www.jollinger.com

 

[albada]

Ollinger's guide linked above mentions model MXC. But my enlarger is marked MCX. Whatever...

 

[mshchem]

Ollinger's guide linked above mentions model MXC. But my enlarger is marked MCX. Whatever...

He also spells Agfa as Afda. Typo

 

[grahamp]

Well the black condenser head from my 45MXT will fit the 45M (with the forward bracing). I've swapped the lamp units around a time or two. The 45M came with an early cold light, but got a 45s Dichroic head when I was feeling generous (and fed up with Multigrade performance). The 45MXT uses a 45s most of the time.

I keep the condenser head around because I can put some sort of bulb in it if both the 45s units die.

I hadn't realized that the condenser could be installed below the 45s. Presumably just a collar to allow the 45s diffuser to sit on the top of the condenser cylinder. Would the combination still need to be raised for smaller formats, I wonder? Though the combination with the 45s head is plenty tall enough already.

 

[mshchem]

Well the black condenser head from my 45MXT will fit the 45M (with the forward bracing). I've swapped the lamp units around a time or two. The 45M came with an early cold light, but got a 45s Dichroic head when I was feeling generous (and fed up with Multigrade performance). The 45MXT uses a 45s most of the time.

I keep the condenser head around because I can put some sort of bulb in it if both the 45s units die.

I hadn't realized that the condenser could be installed below the 45s. Presumably just a collar to allow the 45s diffuser to sit on the top of the condenser cylinder. Would the combination still need to be raised for smaller formats, I wonder? Though the combination with the 45s head is plenty tall enough already.

If you use the condenser adapter it comes with a mixing chamber that is installed in your Dichro S head, this and the spacer places the light output in about the position of what a PH 212 bulb would be in a condenser lamp house. It's cool but kinda silly. You still adjust the condensers for different sizes of film, infact the conversion kit came with the standard scale to fit to your enlarger, just in case.

 

[grahamp]

So _not_ the standard diffusion boxes for the 45s? I could imagine something like a mirror to put the light source central to the condenser (a bit like the Durst reflex models) in place of the diffuser, since the lamp in the 45s projects horizontally. It does seem a bit strange, but I suppose it would give a condenser effect with the dichroic filters, rather than a filter pack on the regular condenser head.

Placing a 45s head with the standard diffusion heads over the condenser might collimate the light a bit, but I would expect it to be neither diffusion nor condenser in effect. Maybe if I am really bored one day...

 

[xkaes]

The 45s has three diffusion boxes for either 4x5, 6x7, or 35mm. The condenser adapter is different and has its own spacer/collar as mshchem mentioned.

Until now, I figured I was the only person that had one.

 

[mshchem]

The 45s has three diffusion boxes for either 4x5, 6x7, or 35mm. The condenser adapter is different and has its own spacer/collar as mshchem mentioned.

Until now, I figured I was the only person that had one.

I had 2 of these turkeys, 1 is in a landfill

 

[Mal Paso]

45 Motorized Condenser Resistol X (rear bracing)